|
Completed Projects
MRR 00-006 Survey of VA Researchers
Martin P. Charns, DBA
VA New England Health Care System; Boston, MA
Funding Period: February 2000 - September 2003
PUBLICATIONS: None
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
The project was commissioned by the Chief Research and Development Officer.
OBJECTIVE(S):
The objective of this annual survey is to study researchers’ views of the current status of research in VA,
and thereby identify areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement.
METHODS:
As was done for the previous four surveys of researchers, data were collected in 2002 by a selfadministered
paper-and-pencil questionnaire. In contrast to the random sampling that was done in the
past, the 2002 survey of researchers was administered to the total population of PIs in the PROMISE
database in an effort to boost the number of respondents and thereby obtain reliable results at the
individual facility level. The 2002 survey was completed by 61% (n=2,618) of the contacted
researchers. Analyses included item frequencies, scale score construction, and analysis of variance
applied to the scale scores to compare trends over time and subgroup scores.
FINDINGS / RESULTS:
Seven scales were created from the survey responses: Research Work, Satisfaction with Local Support,
VISN Leadership Support, Overall VISN Support, Satisfaction with National Research Program,
Adequacy of Protected Time for Research, and Satisfaction with ORCA Functions. Scale scores ranged
from 3.59 for Research Work to 2.48 for Overall VISN Support on a 5-point scale. At the item level,
satisfaction in 2002 ranged from 85% satisfied on autonomy to chose my research direction to 56%
dissatisfied on opportunities to contribute to VISN decision making. Facility-level scale scores were
computed for 71 sites with 10 or more respondents. Considerable variation was evident across facilities.
On average across the seven scales, the highest facility score was 74% above that at the lowest-scoring
facility, and ranged from a 37% difference on the Research Work scale to a 128% difference on the
VISN support scale.
Overall, more researchers were satisfied than dissatisfied with their research work lives in VA. However,
the level of satisfaction was relatively weak, and substantial dissatisfaction was expressed. Variability
was clearly evident at the facility
level on all dimensions.
STATUS:
Ongoing.
IMPACT:
Results provide VA managers at the national, VISN, and local facility levels with data regarding the
satisfaction of VA researchers that could be used to identify opportunities for improvement at all levels of
the organization.
|
